Ugandan president meets Somalia’s First Lady Saynab Abdi Moallim

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Wednesday held a meeting with the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Zaynab Abdi Moallim, at State House Entebbe. 

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest between their two countries.

Abdi Moallim is in Uganda on a two-day working visit during which she will attend the official commissioning of Atiak Sugar Factory in Amuru district.  The commissioning will be presided over by Museveni today (Thursday) in Amuru district.

Atiak Sugar Factory started production, four years after completion in Gem Pachilo village, Atiak sub-county.

The factory is co-owned by Horyal Investments Holding Company Ltd and the government of Uganda. It aims at creating jobs for the youth and opportunities for farmers recovering from the LRA conflict.

Museveni welcomed the First Lady of Somalia to Uganda and said he was happy that she came and also found time to co-officiate at the commissioning of the Atiak Sugar factory established by Somali entrepreneur Dr Amina Hersi Moghe.
The President said the project will explore business opportunities between Uganda and Somalia, noting that goods trucks from the coast that transport goods to Sudan, would now return to the coast with sugar and sugar products.

He called on the people of Somalia to unite and look at a common good of the people instead of focusing on tribes and clans.

“When the NRM came into power in 1986, the country was divided by religion and tribe. Somalia is united in religion but disunited by clans. Let’s look at the common good of our people. This factory will boost trade and developments between our nations” he said.

The meeting was attended by among others Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia Rt Mahdi Mohammed Gulaid, Somalia Ambassador to Uganda,  Ali Mohamud and Advisor Nasra Wehliye Malin.

Other officials included the Atiak Sugar Factory CEO, Amina Hersi Moghe and officials from Somalia and Uganda government and NRM Officials.